Latest on Nancy Guthrie Case: Is There Still Hope After DNA Found on Gloves Shows No Database Match?

Is there still hope in the search for Nancy Guthrie?

That's the question many are asking after authorities confirmed that DNA recovered from a glove found near her Arizona home produced no matches in the FBI's national DNA database, CODIS. For some, the update sounded discouraging. But investigators say it is far from the end.

More than two weeks after the 84-year-old mother of "Today" anchor Savannah Guthrie disappeared from her Tucson-area home, law enforcement insists the case is still active - and still a rescue mission.

DNA Found, But No CODIS Hit

Investigators recovered a pair of black gloves about two miles from Nancy Guthrie's home. The gloves appear to match those worn by a masked individual captured on doorbell-camera footage in the early morning hours of February 1 - around the time authorities believe she was taken against her will.

The FBI confirmed the DNA profile from the gloves did not produce any matches in CODIS, the national database that contains DNA from convicted offenders and arrestees.

Additionally:

The DNA on the gloves does not match DNA found inside Guthrie's home.
DNA collected inside the residence has not yet yielded a confirmed suspect.
No arrests have been made.

But Sheriff Chris Nanos emphasized that a lack of a database match is "not the end."

"Now we start with genealogy," Nanos said in an interview, referring to investigative genetic genealogy - a method that has solved major cold cases in recent years.

What Happens Next? The Role of Genetic Genealogy

With no CODIS hit, investigators are turning to investigative genetic genealogy, a process that compares unknown DNA samples to publicly accessible genealogy databases.

The method gained national attention in cases such as the Golden State Killer and the Idaho university murders.

According to genetic genealogist CeCe Moore, the process can sometimes identify suspects quickly - in minutes - but it can also take years depending on how much family DNA is available in accessible databases.

One challenge: major consumer DNA companies such as 23andMe, AncestryDNA, and MyHeritage do not allow law enforcement access to their databases unless served with a warrant. Only smaller databases like GEDmatch and FamilyTreeDNA allow voluntary opt-ins for law enforcement comparisons.

Even so, authorities say they are pursuing every available option.

"DNA may still play a crucial role in this case," Sheriff Nanos told reporters.

No Suspects - But Thousands of Leads

Despite the DNA setback, investigators say the case is far from cold.

Nearly 400 investigators are working the case.
Close to 40,000 tips have been received.
Authorities are reviewing thousands of leads.

"As long as we have the ability to chase a lead, it's not cold," Nanos said.

The FBI has described the case as a kidnapping and released images of a suspect seen tampering with the home's doorbell camera. The suspect is described as:

Male
Approximately 5'9" to 5'10"
Average build
Wearing a mask and gloves
Carrying a 25-liter Ozark Trail backpack

The FBI has increased the reward to $100,000 for information leading to Nancy Guthrie's location or the arrest and conviction of anyone involved.

Family Cleared as Suspects

Amid online speculation, authorities have firmly stated that Nancy Guthrie's adult children and their spouses are not suspects.

Sheriff Nanos called suggestions otherwise "cruel," emphasizing that the family members are victims in the case.

Savannah Guthrie and her siblings have made repeated public pleas for their mother's safe return. In a recent video message directed at a potential captor, Savannah said:

"It is never too late to do the right thing."

An archbishop even led a public prayer on national television asking for Nancy's safe return - a reminder of how widely this case has touched hearts.

Is There Still Hope?

Despite no DNA match in CODIS, investigators remain publicly hopeful.

The sheriff continues to describe the operation as a rescue mission, not a recovery effort.

"You have no proof, nobody does, that she's not alive," Nanos said. "I'm going to have that faith. Sometimes that hope is all we have."

Authorities believe Nancy Guthrie was removed from her home against her will. Blood found on her porch has been confirmed to be hers. Officials have said she requires regular medication and is not in good physical health.

Yet investigators insist they are not giving up.

"We're not going to give up. We're going to find Nancy," Nanos said.